The West Virginia Autism Training Center is expanding its reach in the state. WV ATC, located at Marshall University in Huntington, has partnered with Concord University to develop on-campus support in Athens for students who are diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.

The West Virginia Autism Training Center is expanding its reach in the state. WV ATC, located at Marshall University in Huntington, has partnered with Concord University to develop on-campus support in Athens for students who are diagnosed with an autism spectrum disorder.

The West Virginia Child Advocacy Network and West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence are getting help from Verizon's HopeLine program to help those affected by domestic violence and child abuse.

The West Virginia Child Advocacy Network and West Virginia Coalition Against Domestic Violence are getting help from Verizon's HopeLine program to help those affected by domestic violence and child abuse.

West Virginia’s Division of Corrections is hoping to close the door to recidivism by helping inmates with drug problems break the grip of addiction. The state already opened two 28-bed units — one for men, the other for women — at Southwestern Regional Jail to accommodate inmates sentenced to DOC custody who are serving parts of those sentences in the separately run regional jail system.

West Virginia’s Division of Corrections is hoping to close the door to recidivism by helping inmates with drug problems break the grip of addiction. The state already opened two 28-bed units — one for men, the other for women — at Southwestern Regional Jail to accommodate inmates sentenced to DOC custody who are serving parts of those sentences in the separately run regional jail system.

In September, when Glen Dale’s Reynolds Memorial Hospital launched its BreakThru program, the staff figured they’d have between five and 10 patients a month coming in for help with getting on the road to a drug-free life.

In September, when Glen Dale’s Reynolds Memorial Hospital launched its BreakThru program, the staff figured they’d have between five and 10 patients a month coming in for help with getting on the road to a drug-free life.

Chapman Technical Group, a St. Albans, WV-based engineering and architectural firm, has been acquired by Kentucky-based GRW.

GRW's president is Ron Gilkerson, a Wayne, WV, native and a Marshall University graduate. GRW maintains offices in Kentucky, Tennessee, Indiana and Ohio. He currently serves on the engineering advisory board at Marshall.

"We were looking to expand into West Virginia for some time," Gilkerson said. "We have clients there, in Charleston, Martinsburg, in Gilmer County and at Camp Dawson. We were looking for a more eastern presence than Lexington."

Gilkerson said Chapman Technical Group will be "a wholly owned subsidiary of GRW. It gives them continuity. It's a win-win for everyone."

"Chapman added a few things that we didn't have," Gilkerson said. "They have a strong landscape architectural engineer staff. Our two firms complement each other very well.

Chapman has provided engineering, architectural, interior design, surveying and landscape architectural services for clients throughout West Virginia. It will maintain its corporate identity, but will be able to offer more experience and a wider range of services, including the most technologically current geospatial services offered anywhere.

Chapman Technical Group was founded by Harvey Chapman, a native of Nitro, WV, in 1984. When he died in 1996, the firm had 30 professionals and support staff in offices in St. Albans and Buckhannon. Sharon Chapman took over the firm and oversaw its continued growth. She will remain with the firm and provide interior design services.

"It is a nice-size firm," said Gilkerson. "We are real pleased – it's a big move for us.

"It's a big move for me personally too," he added. "I want to have an office where I grew up."

GRW is well-known for its work in water treatment and services, Gilkerson pointed out.

"Every day, we can go home knowing that we helped make our world a better place," he said.